Tina Louise shines on, and a new Bat-take?

Didya ever know that Tina Louise is an author? Sure enough, she has two books, a children's book titled "When I Grow Up" and the autobiographical "Sunday: A Memoir." Beyond that, Louise's daughter Caprice Crane (by Les Crane) is a novelist.

Those fun little tidbits and more (including lovely black-and-white photos) can be found at a blog tribute to the actress, whom we fondly recall as Julie Grey on "Dallas." Click on over to The Most Beautiful Women 2 Blog.

On a completely different subject (!), Toon Zone is reporting some rumblings about a new Bat-animated series. Tentatively titled "Batman: The Brave and The Bold," the series apparently would be the next project for our favorite Bat-crew after the "Legion of Super Heroes" animated series soft-lands at the end of this season on the Kids WB!.

Spotted: Joanna Cassidy, Wanda DeJesus and Rosemary Forsyth

... All in the same movie; can you believe it? John Carpenter's "Ghosts of Mars," airing as the creature feature of the week on our beloved Sci Fi this past Saturday night, featured a nice bevy of classic TV stars. Joanna Cassidy, who was the sweet blond Sally Bullock on "Dallas," was Dr. Arlene Whitlock here. Wanda DeJesus, who was one of the Santana Andrades on "Santa Barbara," portrayed Akooshay. And Rosemary Forsyth, the original Dominick / Sophia Capwell on "SB," before Judith McConnell took over, as well as Ann McFadden on "Dallas," portrayed the Inquisitor.

Dallas Fanzine interviews writer / producer Howard Lakin

The J.R. Ewing - Cally Harper wedding as a screwball comedy? "I still don't know why they let me get away with it," writer / producer Howard Lakin says in a new interview now posted on DallasFanzine.com.

But, Lakin tells the "Dallas" fan site, the technique of trapping all the characters in one setting for some heavy-duty drama in an episode such as the two-part "Country Girl"-"Wedding Bell Blues" has been used for decades.

Lakin chats about all kinds of other things from his "Dallas" days -- Sue Ellen's growing independence on the show, the fact that his own daughter served as the flowergirl at April's wedding to Bobby, the new "Dallas" feature film -- in the interview.

Lakin also wrote and produced for CBS' "Falcon Crest" (just one timeslot over from "Dallas" on Friday nights), as well as "Flamingo Road."

"Santa Barbara" writer dishes ... a little

Soaps writer Jane Atkins may have been talking about her work on shows such as our beloved "Santa Barbara," but she wasn't naming many names. Take this little tidbit, for example, as she spoke to students recently at Florida's Chipola College:

"In 'Santa Barbara' we had a super couple who ended up hating each other in real life. The actor refused to say anything nice to her."

Hmmm ...

Atkins and other writers (who, incidentally, won a Daytime Emmy in 1989 for their work on "SB") had to come up with different ways for the character to express his love, the Jackson County Floridian says, including shots of "him" typing loving messages on a computer screen, or the actress reading his love letters out loud. OK! The wheels are a-turnin' ...

Atkins, who also wrote for "Days of Our Lives" and "General Hospital," had some kinder things to say about Joe Marinelli, who played cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti (a time period now being featured, by the way, on the Mason Chronicles on Lane Davies' official website).

Eric Radomski's new job, a fab Bat-promo ... and a meow!!!

Eric Radomski, a name that's familiar to us fans of "Batman: The Animated Series," has gotten a new gig. He's serving as the chief creative officer of the Canadian-based Throwback Entertainment. Radomski has directed, produced and done visual effects for not just "B: TAS" but also its 1993 theatrical offshoot, "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm."

You can read more at the Wired Blog Network:
http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/03/batman-animania.html

Also in Batnews ... Wanna get a glimpse inside the new Warner Bros. animated feature, "Batman: Gotham Knight"? The official site is up and running:
http://warnervideo.com/batmangothamknight/

In the smashing video at the site, you'll hear from a few DC / Warner Bros. execs, including Bruce Timm, one of the masterminds behind the original animated series. From our own Bat-perspective, we're thinkin' if you weren't motivated to get the DVD or Blu-Ray (due on July 7), you will be, after checking this out. You can certainly see the Anime influence in the film, and the promo video speaks heavily to that, but when we watched it we couldn't help thinking ... This is no cartoon -- this is comic-book panels come to life! Fab!

(And is that Gary Dourdan of "CSI" we see in the voice credits? We had no idea! Major meow!!!!! Welcome to the Batworld, Handsome!!!!!!! Stay as long as you like!)

John O'Hurley continues to butter us up

Maybe we knew, when we saw John O'Hurley play the oh-so serious and cinematical Stephen Slade on "Santa Barbara," that he wasn't truly in his element. Comedy is evidently his calling, we saw when he went on to star as the wildly popular J. Peterman on "Seinfeld." He's continued that comedic thang as a pitchman for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter." And now he's gettin' all crazy in I Can't Believe It's Not Butter's latest web fun: the game "Now You Know Better."

Head over to http://www.nowyouknowbetter.com/ and you'll find the zany O'Hurley, so charming, welcoming you to this interactive trivia game where you compete with other players from who-knows-where to accumulate points as well as entries in a sweepstakes for a high-dollar annuity. He's a little more gray, and a little differently shaped, since his days as the filmmaker who wooed Sophia Capwell, but he's all O'Hurley, that's for sure.

You can make up to five entries per day in the online game, which picks your brain on all sorts of quirky little pop-culture elements.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Run, don't walk, over to the May 26, 2006 post of the BRBTV News Blog, where you'll find (are you ready???) a ****celebrity comment**** (cue blinking lights!). Ms. Lydia Cornell speaks up to thank us and defend the honor of her lovely and delightful "Too Close for Comfort" costar! That is so fun! Thanks, Ms. Cornell. We appreciate it.

Joan chats, Cazenove returns to the stage, and it's unmistakably John Forsythe

Joan Collins chats with Toronto's Globe and Mail about a few assorted fun things: her skin-care regimen, plastic surgery (she says no, she hasn't), even how much she weighs now compared to when she starred as Alexis Colby on "Dynasty."

And fashion, too. For instance, her favorite fashion of the myriad imaginative creations she had the good fortune to wear on the show.

"It was a grey silk jersey dress with long sleeves like a 1940s dress, and I wore it with a grey cloche hat and a grey cape trimmed with fake fur," she says.

Ahhhhhh. Indeed, we remember that one.

Read the interview at TheGlobeandMail.com.

Collins is also generating some ink for her purchase of a condo in Sierra Towers in West Hollywood. The San Francisco Chronicle has more.

Collins' "Dynasty" castmate Christopher Cazenove, meanwhile, who played her ex-brother-in-law Ben Carrington, is in the news for his role as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady." The stage production is stopping in Philadelphia, and PhillyBurbs.com tells the story.

And ... to make this a full "Dynasty" day ... how about a fun little "Spotted" feature on our favorite patriarch?

Spotted: John Forsythe

Our "Dynasty" patriarch was such a young'un in this one: the first-season "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode, "Premonition." In it, he played a young man returning from overseas to his small peaceful town, only to learn that his father died years earlier and no one told him. His hair is dark, his gait is steady, but his voice -- so unmistakable. You can view it yourself on MSN's TV site.

Frank Runyeon is busy spreading the Good Word

We've reported on the BRBTV News Blog about the modern-day antics of Frank Runyeon, our former Father Michael of "Santa Barbara." How comfy Runyeon was in that role of a priest, because he's a man of the cloth, so to speak, in real life, as well.

Runyeon, who terms himself a "Biblical actor," portraying a variety of stage roles from the pages of Scripture, has a whole slew of engagements coming up in the next several weeks:

- Saturday, March 8: First Lutheran Church, Torrance, CA
- Sunday, March 9 - Monday, March 10: St. Joan of Arc Church, Lisle, IL
- Sunday, March 9: St. Joan of Arc Church, Lisle, IL
- Monday, March 10: St. Joan of Arc Church, Lisle, IL
- Tuesday, March 11: St. Christopher Church, Saginaw, MI
- Wednesday, March 12: Infant Jesus Church, Port Jefferson, NY
- Thursday, March 13: St. Patrick Church, Pelham, NH
- Friday, March 14: St. John Church, Cromwell, CT
- Saturday, March 15: First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon, OH
- Sunday, March 16: Immaculate Conception, New Hartford, CT
- Monday, March 17: St. Charles Church, San Carlos, CA
- Thursday, March 20: First Presbyterian Church, Chipley, FL
- Good Friday, March 21: Grace Heartland Church, Elizabethtown, KY
- Wednesday, April 2: Our Lady of Grace Church, Brooklyn, NY
- Thursday, April 3: Nativity of Our Lord Church, Monroe Twp, NJ
- Saturday, April 5: St. Patrick Church, Farmington, CT
- Sunday, April 6: St. Agatha Church, Milton, MA
- Wednesday, April 16: St. Michael Lutheran Church, Canton, MI
- Thursday, April 17: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Aurora, OH
- Friday, April 18: St. Raphael Church, Naperville, IL
- Sunday, April 20: St. Francis of Assisi Church, Wichita, KS

To see which Biblical characters he's playing at each site and for other information, check Runyeon's schedule on his official website. Our handsome priestly actor is also working on an autobiography, "Escape from Hollywood: An Actor's Journey."

BRBTV News Blog Blip: What's in a name? Apparently a whole lot of association, if this stunt-driving family in the U.K. is any indication. The name is Duke, and the game is daredevilin' kinda like that precious Bo and Luke we know. Check it out, at the Swindon Advertiser.

Spotted: William Windom and John Randolph

On "Dallas," William Windom was Amos Krebbs, wayward assumed father of Ray Krebbs. On Rod Serling's classic "Night Gallery," he played a disillusioned sales director celebrating 25 years on the job in "They're Tearing Down Tim Riley's Bar." Windom's resume is long and vast, dating back to 1950; he even played Commodore Decker in the original "Star Trek" episode "The Doomsday Machine."

One of Windom's "Dallas" castmates plays his boss in that same "Night Gallery" episode: John Randolph, who not only portrayed Lincoln Hargrove on "Dallas" in 1981 but also Judge Henry Kendall on "Dynasty" in 1983. Incidentally, that "Night Gallery" episode also featured John Ragin, who was Dr. Grant Jameson on "Santa Barbara" as a policeman.

Also spotted ... Jack Wagner and Heather Locklear!

OK, the whole juicy Hollywood gossip thing is not something we aim to deliver, here at the BRBTV News Blog. We'd rather report on our stars' more professional pursuits. But when we saw this one wandering the web, we figured we had to make an exception, since both the parties involved are firmly entrenched BRBTV stars.

Heather Locklear, of course, is our fabbo Sammy Jo Reece of "Dynasty." Post-"Dynasty," she played the on-screen love interest, Amanda Woodward, of Jack Wagner's Dr. Peter Burns on Fox's '90s "Melrose Place." Now, Wagner we know as the final Warren Lockridge on "Santa Barbara."

In these reports, the two are evidently rather good friends ...
http://ww.tmz.com/2008/03/05/the-bitch-is-back/
http://www.celebrities.com/blog/?p=3558

(Though we have to note to TMZ that the "B*tch is Back" episode title on "Melrose Place" actually referred to Marcia Cross' character, Kimberly Shaw, when she returned from the supposed dead. That mirror scene at the end ranks right up there for chilling TV moments!)

Ian McShane: Breaking taboos and on a "Death Race" and beyond

On "Dallas," Ian McShane, as Sue Ellen Ewing's lover, Don Lockwood, had the delicious task of creating a film on J.R. Ewing's life. His on-screen persona also had the good fortune of riding off into the English sunset, so to speak, with Sue Ellen. So what's McShane been up to, these days?

For one thing, he's front and center in EW.com's "15 Taboo-Breaking TV Moments," for his role as Al Swearengen on HBO's "Deadwood." Beyond that, he's brimming with new movie projects.

"44 Inch Chest" classified as in pre-production and scheduled for release next year, has McShane playing a character named Meredith. The drama's plotline: "A jealous husband and his friends plot the kidnapping of his wife's lover with the intention of restoring his wounded ego."

"Coraline," also due next year but further along, gives McShane some voicework as Mr. Bobo. It's based on a novel by comic-book king / "Sandman" mastermind Neil Gaiman. Directed by Henry Selick ("Nightmare Before Christmas," "James and the Giant Peach") it's the first major stop-motion animated feature to be shot in 3D. Its cast also includes Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher.

"Death Race," due out later this year, takes McShane on an action adventure. The plotline: "Set in a future version of America, a prisoner who is weeks away from being released is forced by his warden to compete in a brutal, deadly car race alongside his fellow inmates."

"Kung Fu Panda," another 2008 voice project, has McShane portraying Tai Lung. It's an IMAX film with an amazing all-star cast: Jackie Chan, Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu and others. The plotline: "Po the Panda is the laziest animal in all of the Valley of Peace, but unwittingly becomes the chosen one when enemies threaten their way of life." Release date is in June.

Finally, "Case 39," classified as completed by releasing next year, casts McShane as Detective Mike Barron. Renee Zellweger plays a social worker who "fights to save a girl from her abusive parents, only to discover that the situation is more dangerous than she ever expected."

BRBTV News Blog Blip: The New Zealand Herald has a fun feature about that blazin' orange American icon, the General Lee.

Coming up in Archie Comics

From Archie Comics

THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE ARCHIE VOLUME TWO
BY POPULAR DEMAND, ANOTHER EDITION OF LITTLE ARCHIE CLASSICS…
AND A NEW STORY, TOO!
Yes, it’s another great entry in the ARCHIE CLASSICS reprint series, now with a new 6 x 9 trim size that lets us pass the savings on to our readers! Over the years, we've received countless requests to reprint the classic LITTLE ARCHIE stories. In 2004, we honored that request with a special edition focusing on some of the greatest Little Archie adventures ever written and drawn by Archie Comic’s equivalent of Carl "the Duck Man" Barks, our own Bob Bolling! Now, we’re back with another heaping helping of thrilling tales from the mind of Bolling, along with hysterical slapstick tales by Dexter Taylor! Included is a brand-new tale from Bob Bolling called "Dragon of Doom": Mad Doctor Doom and Chester are back to bad ‘ol tricks, this time using a giant dragon fly to steal armored cars! It’s up to Little Archie, Chic and Kimberly to stop the dastardly duo in this 22-page epic!
SCRIPT AND ART: Bob Bolling.
PLUS: Classic tales of Little Archie!
SCRIPT AND ART: Bob Bolling, Dexter Taylor.
On sale on newsstands: April 8, 2008
96-page, full-color graphic novel
$8.95 U.S.

ARCHIE #583
"The Big Draw": Archie stumbles upon a new trick to get dates: have Chuck draw portraits that Archie presents as gifts to the girls!
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Truck Stop!": When Archie offers to personally deliver a huge piece of art to the Lodge home for Mrs. Lodge’s birthday, it’s Archie himself who once again proves what a work of art he is!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Smooth Talker": A weekend at Mr. Lodge’s lake resort is sunk for Reggie, unless he can talk his way out of the special job he promised to do for Coach Kleats.
SCRIPT: Craig Boldman. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Big Man on Campus": When Archie dreams, he dreams big – so big that he dreams he is a giant!
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCesare. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: April 15th, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE & FRIENDS #117
"Archie World Tour Part 1 of 4: Double-A Seven: When Archie and friends embark on a whirlwind world tour, their first stop is London, where they soon find themselves embroiled in an international spy mystery! This is the first Archie Comics story by acclaimed writer and children’s art advocate Alex Simmons. In a career spanning 20 years, Alex has written juvenile mystery novels, stage plays, documentaries, biographies and more. Additionally, he travels the country as a guest speaker and a teaching artist conducting creative writing workshops, and is also the Educational Outreach Director for New York City’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. In the midst of all this, he somehow finds the time to be a voice-over artist for commercials and podcasts, AND runs a family-friendly kids comics convention each year!
SCRIPT: Alex Simmons. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: March 26, 2008
32-page, full-color comic
$2.25 U.S.

ARCHIE DIGEST #242
"Career Fear": Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Betty each spend a day with a family member to determine if they really want to follow in their footsteps. Needless to say, those are days their family will never forget!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Tim Kennedy.
"Pop Goes the Pizza": Pop Tate longs to impress his father, a famous chef. Can Dilton’s "Pizza Popper" invention help, or will it just "cheese" up matters?
SCRIPT: Angelo DeCeserare. ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales, including the "animated" Sabrina!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: March 26, 2008
Full-color digest format
$2.49 U.S.

ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #187
"Happy Birthday… NOT!": Tired of being pulled at like a stick of taffy, Archie decides to spend his birthday apart from Betty and Veronica… but for how long?
SCRIPT: Barbara Slate. ART: Pat Kennedy.
"Cold Shoulder": Archie discovers he has seasonal allergies – namely winter snow shoveling and spring cleaning!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Bob Bolling.
"Trouble in Store": Mr. Andrews decides to take up a new sport: competitive grocery shopping!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Pat Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: April 8, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

BETTY #173
"Fantasy Girl": The girls imagine what it would be like to have extraordinary powers… instead of extra ordinary powers!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Unstable Table!": It’s service with a smirk for Archie when he shows up at a restaurant with a new date… and Betty as his waitress!
SCRIPT: Bill Golliher. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Getting the Message": Modern technology has given today’s teens numerous ways to communicate – except for direct communication, that is!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Stan Goldberg.
"Decision Maker": Betty learns that when springtime arrives, plans become as unpredictable as the weather!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Stan Goldberg.
On sale on newsstands: April 15, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA SPECTACULAR #82
SPECIAL "LOVE & ROMANCE" ISSUE!
"For Better or For Worse": Betty and Veronica are shocked to find Archie attending a wedding with Cheryl Blossom as his date! Things get even worse for Veronica when Betty gets upgraded to bridesmaid. Will Veronica find a way to take center stage at this event? Does Archie have freckles?!
SCRIPT AND ART: Dan Parent.
PLUS: A peak into Betty and Veronica's romantic futures - according to them!
BONUS: Fashion pages, fun quizzes, puzzles and games for hope(ful) romantics everywhere!
On sale on newsstands: April 1, 2008
32-page, full color comic
$2.25 U.S.

BETTY & VERONICA DOUBLE DIGEST #159
"The Inspiration": Looking for a female counterpoint to Chuck’s cartoons, school paper editor Betty decides to let reporter Carol take a shot at cartooning, too. Told to observe her fellow female students, Carol comes back with a strip about two girls infatuated with the same guy. Now where did she come up with an idea like that?
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Jeff Shultz.
"Flagged Downer": Betty and Veronica raise their flag of curiosity as they stroll through town observing all the flags hanging from their neighbor’s homes.
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski.
"Birds of a Feather": Betty takes Veronica bird watching, but she’s more interested in boy watching!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Tim Kennedy.
PLUS: Other new and classic tales!
SCRIPT AND ART: Various talents.
BONUS: Puzzles, games and pin-ups!
On sale on newsstands: April 1, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

JUGHEAD #188
"Soft in the Head": Leave it to Jughead to create the perfect (for him!) utilitarian fashion – a hat that’s a pillow, so he can nap on the go! "The Wrong Stuff": In a story "stuffed" with a unique teen, his baby sister, a stuff-your-own teddy bear, and a token good for a year’s supply of corn dogs, what could possibly go "wrong?" "Dressed for Distress": The unimaginable has happened: Archie convinces Jughead to buy a suit, and the shirt and tie crowd will never be the same! "Go Nuts Donuts": Just what is making Jughead mysteriously run off whenever his beeper sounds? You "donut" want to miss yummy answer!
SCRIPTS: Craig Boldman. ART: Rex Lindsey.
On sale on newsstands: April 8, 2008
32-page, full color comic,
$2.25 U.S.

PALS-N-GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #120
"Future Shock": Betty and Veronica find a "Mr. Predicto" toy at a flea market – and it doesn’t take a fortune teller to predict they’ll soon be mistaking coincidences for predictions!
SCRIPT: Mike Pellowski. ART: Bill Galvan.
"The Image": Archie is exasperated by his fellow band members, who don’t leave their ego’s at the door but invite them up on stage instead!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Pat Kennedy.
"The Gadget Man": Dilton shows off the latest gadgets he’s invented for his friends and faculty – but with friends like these, some of the gadgets are more science fiction than science!
SCRIPT: George Gladir. ART: Bob Bolling.
On sale on newsstands: April 15, 2008
Full-color digest format
$3.69 U.S.

Bits 'n' Pieces: From a "Bat"-voice to a Bach and beyond

Warner Bros. animation crew sticks to tradition

Kevin Conroy is the man for the job, Cinematical and World's Finest Online report, on the new animated feature from the crew that brought us "Batman: The Animated Series," et. al. Conroy, the longtime voice of Batman throughout the animated series of the '90s to the present (as well as Bart Fallmont to us "Dynasty" fans), will voice the Caped Crusader for the "Batman: Gotham Knight" collection of vignettes, to be released straight to DVD, Blu-Ray, etc. (see earlier posts of this blog).

Catherine Bach's legacy lives on

It's an understatement, isn't it? That Catherine Bach's lovely, leggy legacy in those short-shorts will live on and on, the length of her legs and beyond? Well, we're obligated to state the obvious once again when we come across a fun feature item like this one in Canada's Calgary Herald.

Diahann Carroll: Thanks for letting us know!

The "Dynasty" diva Dominique Devereaux is releasing a new autobiography later this year, and we're glad to hear that "The Legs are the Last to Go" (Daisy Duke aside, we rather like our own, too). You can pre-order copies of Carroll's "The Legs Are the Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying, Mothering, and Other Things I Learned Along the Way," released this fall in 304-page hardcover by Amistad.

Spotted: Louise Sorel and Larry Hagman

Our own Augusta Lockridge of "Santa Barbara" and J.R. Ewing of "Dallas" are featured in the second episode of Rod Serling's delightfully, darkly delicious 1970s "Night Gallery," now showing on MSN.com's TV viewing area. In "The Dead Man," the sweet little Sorel is stricken by the death of her young lover. In the episode's second segment, "The Housekeeper," Hagman has a fluffy head of hair and a full beard, as well as a rather formal manner of speaking, as he sets about switching his beautiful wife's sniper personality with the warm heart of the haggardly housekeeper. We dig Serling so much, we're going to keep watchin' those vintage episodes, so we'll let ya know who else we spot on the BRBTV radar ...

BRBTV birthdays for March

- Jed Allan, the final and most commanding C.C. Capwell on "Santa Barbara," turns 71 tomorrow, March 1.
- Catherine Bach, lovely Daisy Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard," shares an exact birthday with Rick Edwards, hunky Jake Morton on "SB." They both turn 54 tomorrow.
- Cassie Yates, who was Sarah Curtis on "Dynasty," turns 57 on March 2.
- Gordon Thomson , a BRBTV double-shot as Adam Carrington of "Dynasty" and the third and final Mason Capwell on "SB," turns 63 on March 3.
- Stacy Edwards, the sweet Hayley Capwell on "SB," turns 43 on March 4.
- Arlen Dean Snyder, who was Texas Energy Commisioner George Hicks on "Dallas" and Lt. Cobb on "Dynasty," turns 75 on March 5.
- Linda Gibboney, who played the first Gina DeMott (and really, the one we preferred for the role), turns 57 on March 7.
- Alice Hirson, who was Mavis Anderson on "Dallas" and was married to "Dallas" castmate Stephen Elliott (Scotty Demarest), turns 79 on March 10.
- Frank Welker, the voice of Isis the cat on "Batman: The Animated Series" and Ace the Bathound on "Batman Beyond," as well as the General Lee and Uncle Jesse's pet raccoon on "The Dukes" cartooon, turns 62 on March 12.
- Julia Campbell, the cute Courtney Caroline Capwell of "SB," turns a young 45 on March 12.
- Steve Kanaly, our own Ray Krebbs of "Dallas," turns 62 on March 14.
- Dennis Patrick, who was Vaughn Leland on "Dallas" and was also married to a castmate, Barbara Cason (Iris Porter), was born on March 14, 1918 and died on October 13, 2002.
- Patrick Duffy, our Bobby Ewing of "Dallas," is one of our St. Patrick's Day (how ironic) birthdays, turning 59.
- Lesley-Anne Down, who played Stephanie Rogers on "Dallas" and Nurse Ellena Corey on "Dynasty," is our other Patty's Day prize, turning 54.
- James L. Brown, that shrewd Det. Harry McSween on "Dallas," was born on March 22, 1920 and died on April 11, 1992.

Happy birthday to all!

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Lindsay Lohan seems to be imitating our girl Daisy Duke, or at least that's what the tabloids say: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=522028&in_page_id=1773

Win a copy of "Destination: Dallas" at DallasFanzine.com

Hop on over to the snazzy Dallas Fanzine for your chance to win not only a signed copy of BRB's latest book, "Destination: Dallas," but also a signed photo of Charlene Tilton, our own Lucy Ewing of "Dallas"!

To win, you just have to answer one (easy!) question. From the home page, click on "Competition." The deadline for entering is March 18.

And while you're roaming the site, check out the fun interviews and "Dallas"-related news that Garry's got posted. For instance, there's an exhibit celebrating our beloved primetime soap coming up in May in Austin, Texas.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: That Heather Locklear is so cute, isn't she? We came across a shot of our "Dynasty" beauty on Flickr indulging her love for golf: http://www.flickr.com/photos/20669480@N04/2295611908/

"Batman: Gotham Knight" gets a release date

We told you in our January 15 post about "Batman: Gotham Knight," a new animated feature in the same vein as "Batman: The Animated Series." Yesterday, Warner Home Video announced a July 8 release date for the collection of six "Batman" vignettes, for Blu-Ray, pay-per-view, OnDemand, and for download.

Our own Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett of "Batman: TAS" are part of the creative team, along with comics heavyweights David S. Goyer and Greg Rucka, himself a longtime "Bat"-comics guy and novelist. It all sounds like a whole lotta fun.

Read a little more about the release, including its special features like a sneak peek at the upcoming "Wonder Woman" animated movie, at Toon Zone.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Alexis Carrington telling her daughter Fallon she's got a big mouth and one of the many (many!) times J.R. Ewing insulted Ray Krebbs are two of the big TV-character insults mentioned in a list compiled by British TV critic John Naughton. You can read about those fabbo "Dynasty" and "Dallas" moments, along with a bevy of other classic putdowns, at News.com.au.

Archie artist Bill Galvan makes two appearances in March

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – Jughead & Friends writer and artist Bill Galvan is on the road. On March 15, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., he will be at Dragon's Keep, 260 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah 84601.

Dragon's Keep Customer Appreciation Day & Creator Signing is a family-oriented event. There will be free sketches and signing by Galvan, along with an interactive gaming room on-site. This is an event for all ages and not to be missed!

Call (801) 373-3482 or visit http://www.dragonskeep.com/ for more information.

Galvan is also conducting a workshop at the Provo Library at 10:30 a.m. the day of the event for about 45 minutes, then heading back to the shop.

The library is about a block from the shop, at 550 North University Avenue, Provo. Call (801) 852-6650 or visit http://www.provo.lib.ut.us/.

Catherine Bach and M.C. Gainey sign on to Motor City Comic Con

The original Daisy and a remade Rosco are two of the offerings at the Motor City Comic Con in Metro Detroit this spring. The show, set for May 16-18 at Novi's Rock Financial Showplace, will make a nice "Dukes of Hazzard" showing with special guests Catherine Bach and M.C. Gainey.

You no doubt know M.C. Gainey from the 2005 "Dukes of Hazzard" remake movie, playing Rosco P. Coltane, but did you know he was in one of the original episodes, too? He portrayed Peters in the 1982 episode "Bad Day in Hazzard."

For the third year in a row, BRB will also be there to sign copies of "Them Dukes! Them Dukes!" with the Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club display, which will include some fabulous "Dukes" vehicles (a Hazzard County boat, even, besides the trademark blazin'-orange General Lee) and a vast display of "Dukes" memorabilia. BRB also will be bringing along copies of the newly released "Destination: Dallas" and the original BRBTV fact book, "Dynasty High."

The Monkee Micky Dolenz, the CHiPs-y Erik Estrada and the Hulk-y Lou Ferrigno will be there, too, so the Motor City show is shaping up to be the show to see! Find out more at the Motor City's official site.

Checking in with the "Dukes" museum in Canada

You know we like to keep you up-to-date on what's happening with the "Dukes of Hazzard" museum currently under construction by Paul Harrington and his Canadian Dukes of Hazzard Fan Club. Paul sent us a bunch of photos a while back, some of which we're featuring here, to give you more of a glimpse of the building's progress.

Check earlier posts of this blog, too, to see additional photos and information about this fun project, which will house Paul's considerable collection of "Dukes" memorabilia. (That's Paul diggin' the hole below! What an inenviable task!)

It's a labor of love, we know ...

Stay tuned for more updates on the museum as time passes.

Photos courtesy of Paul Harrington

"Dukes" reunion movies set for DVD this summer

Warner Bros. has set a release date for their DVD of the two "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion TV movies. June 10 is the date -- so mark it on your calendar.

The DVD set will include 1997's "The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!" and 2000's "The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood." TVShowsonDVD has the official WB press release and the art of the packaging:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Dukes-Hazzard-2-TV-Movie-Collection/9038

BRBTV News Blog Blip: iFanBoy.com has Paul Dini's "200 words" column, where the acclaimed "Batman" animated writer talks about ocelots and spots. Really.

Archie's Bill Galvan appears at WonderCon

From Archie Comics

MAMARONECK, NY — Making its fourth annual appearance at WonderCon, this year’s Secret Origin of Good Readers panel features Dr. Robyn A. Hill (National University, San Diego), Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City), Bill Galvan (co-creator/artist of the Scrapyard Detectives, artist for Archie) and Bill Morrison (creative director of Bongo Comics).

The panelists will discuss how teachers, librarians, retailers and publishers can work together to bring comic books into the classroom for use as an innovative and motivating cross-curricular teaching tool and a vehicle for promoting reading and literacy. Through a multimedia presentation, personal remarks, and a question-and-answer session, the speakers will present an overview of the medium and highlight specific ways that comic books and graphic novels have been used to engage a variety of learners. The 70-page The Secret Origin of Good Readers companion resource book and other exciting materials are available for free download at http://www.night-flight.com/secretorigin, courtesy of XMission.com.

The Secret Origin of Good Readers
Room 232/234
Sunday, February 24
12:30-2:00 p.m.
WonderCon, San Francisco
http://www.comic-con.org/

BRBTV News Blog Blip: In a video that David Hasselhoff should be quite embarrassed about, Disneyland celebrates its 30th anniversary, featuring our own John Forsythe of "Dynasty" and a very young Drew Barrymore. It's an '80s extravaganza, adding in Roy Clark, Donna Summer and even vintage Ronald Reagan at the beginning, and it was just posted on YouTube. Enjoy!

BRBTV News Blog Blip 2: That Joan-Collins-at-the-market-in-her-cowgirl-duds thing sure has legs. We found it again at BeyondBlondiePark.com.

Still another BRBTV News Blog Blip: And speaking of photos of "Dynasty" stars, here's a quick shot of Jack Coleman, our second Steven Carrington, escorting his "Heroes" co-star Hayden Panettiere out of a private party, which looks to be, from what we've seen on the Internet in the past few days, Coleman's own 50th birthday bash with a few of his closest friends! (Scroll down, if you can make it past "Prison Boys" hottie Wentworth Miller!!!!! Sorry, that's "Prison Break"!)

Bits 'n' Pieces: Priscilla, more Joan, and of course (!) John Schneider

- Priscilla Presley is the latest vintage TV star to take to the dance floor on ABC. Our own third and final Jenna Wade of "Dallas" will hopefully stride-rightly in the next season of "Dancing With the Stars." The action begins March 17, and Presley has some stiff competition for attention: actress Marlee Matlin will be the first deaf dancer on the show. BRB's own local newspaper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has the story.

- We couldn't just stop at that cute little Joan Collins photo linked up yesterday. We found another one, this time at ZoomWallpapers.com, from the grand opening night at the Third Annual Los Angeles Italia Film, Fashion and Art Festival.

- Actor Bob Ginnaven, who popped up in some 1981 episodes of "Dallas," has died. Ginnaven, 71, whose character name was Bob on "Dallas," also worked in local television in his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. ArkansasBusiness.com has more.

- In the "happened upon on the Internet" category, this sweet little 2004 story on John Schneider, our own Bo Duke of "The Dukes of Hazzard," sheds some light on his faith. "I want people to know that God is not using me just because I am John Schneider the actor, the celebrity," Schneider told the Christian Reader. "God doesn't really care about that. God has something big for everyone."

- Finally, just for us Bat-fans: a LEGO set featuring the characters we know and love from "Batman: The Animated Series" and its various offshoots. Harley's just darling! ActionTrip.com and Kotaku have the photos.

Sheree J. Wilson speaks up, and she'll be at Fan Appreciation Weekend, too!

Thank God for the Ultimate Dallas website .... We'd been bugging poor Sheree J. Wilson for more than a year for an interview (we say "bugging," though she was gracious, and truth be told, we kept our toes on this side of professionalism! really!), but time and projects and her schedule just never permitted it, and we had to publish "Destination: Dallas" without it. Thankfully, Wilson took the time to talk with UD, though, and the results are posted at their site.

"I walked onto the set and the first person I see is Larry Hagman," Wilson says. "He looks at me and says, 'Hello, darlin, you know your jokes?' I said, 'Do I know my jokes?' He said, 'Your lines, your lines, always know your jokes and come to work prepared and we'll have a ball.' That's the only thing he said, I would memorize my lines, I would memorize his lines, if he didn't have his lines I would tell him his lines, I would memorize the whole script." (laughs) "All we did was laugh, I had the best time on that show of any any show I've ever done."

There's lots more from Wilson about her life after that wonderful moment that she walked up to Jack Ewing in that polka-dotted outfit!

Wilson, incidentally, is one of the "Dallas" cast members appearing at the FanSource A Fan Appreciation Weekend, where there will be a special dinner honoring "Dallas." Besides Wilson, Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing), Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing), Lesley-Anne Down (Stephanie Rogers) and Morgan Fairchild (Jenna Wade) are scheduled to appear.

It all happens at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn this October.

BRBTV News Blog Blip: She's such a doll, that Joan Collins. MavrixOnline has got her steppin' out at a Rite-Aid the other day, in her saucy little cowgal duds. Fun!

See My Lee!

We're always bringin' you something new and exciting with the occasional "See My Lee!" feature on the BRBTV News Blog. We've shown you General Lee cars from the U.K., a Chick Lee, a dual Lee owner, Bo's own Lee, a Lee from the 2005 movie, and we've even shown you a General Lee pocket bike. Today ... well, today, we've got a General Lee sled. Yes, a General Lee sled. But you probably already know that, because you've seen the photos!

This particular Lee is located at The Custom Sled Shop of Ontario. Fun! If you want to see this Lee up and in action (and without snow!), click over to YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W9iWvzLjaUI&feature=related

BRBTV News Blog Blip: Found on the Internet ... a little blurb of Pamela Sue Martin, our own original Fallon Carrington of "Dynasty," talking about her earlier role as Nancy Drew: http://cossacks.org.uk/life/nancy-drew-torch-passed-to-another-2/

BarBara -- that's Luna to you!

BRBTV had the pleasure of meeting BarBara Luna (yes, that second capital B is correct) at last year's Motor City Comic Con in Metro Detroit while researching the "Destination: Dallas" book. Besides being immortalized as a "Star Trek" babe (Lt. Marlena Moreau of the truly fab original episode "Mirror, Mirror"), Luna has the distinction of being part of the lore that is "Dallas," as well. Later in the series, she portrayed Carmen Esperanza, the not-so-loving sister-in-law of J.R.'s nemesis LeeAnn de la Vega. (And the lovely actress told us she likes to be called simply Luna, by the way.)

Luna's going to be out and about in 2008, meeting and greeting fans, in a couple spots. Coming up in a week or so she'll be at WonderCon, at the Moscone Center South, 747 Howard Street in San Francisco. The dates for that date, so to speak, are February 22 to 24. Find out more about WonderCon, which, of course, will feature all the usual comics-related suspects (including Bruce Timm of "Batman: The Animated Series," et. al) at the WonderCon site.

Her other date for 2008 scheduled so far is at JumpCon in Boston, July 18-20. Find out more at the JumpCon site. And JumpCon will feature some other BRBTV faces: Tracy Scoggins of "Dynasty" and "The Colbys" will be there. Richard Herd, who played Jim Ellison on "Dynasty" in 1986 and John Mackey on "Dallas" in 1981, too. Plus James Horan, who played Maxwell Allen on "Dynasty" in 1984. Rock out!

Nancy Lee Grahn joins in "GH" Fan Club Weekend

Today's news may be all about the end of the writer's strike and the raging feud between Beyonce and Aretha, but here at the BRBTV News Blog, we're looking off into the future ... pretty far off into the future ... to, say, summertime ....

Nancy Lee Grahn, our lovely Julia Wainwright Capwell of "Santa Barbara" who continues to shine these days as Alexis Davis on ABC's "General Hospital," will do a meet and greet this July. She'll appear at the annual "GH" Fan Club Weekend on Friday, July 11, 2008, from 6-9 p.m. The weekend happens at the Sportsman Lodge, 2825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, California.

The weekend kicks off the day before and features a bevy of "GH" stars. See the schedule at Soaps.com.

Didya know that Grahn played a saloon girl on a 1980 episode of "Little House on the Prairie," by the way? Is that fun, or is that fun?

Paul Dini muses in '200 words'

Paul Dini, our writer extraordinnaire from "Batman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond" and so many other Bat-animated incarnations, will be featured in a new column on the Net.

iFanboy is going to be running a column by Dini called "200 Words With Paul Dini" each Thursday. It coincides with iFanboy's new site design.

Formed in 2000, iFanboy is an Internet celebration of -- you guessed it -- comic books. Read more here:
http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/Welcome_to_iFanboy_3_0_